Wade Hinton Named City Attorney

  • Friday, May 24, 2013

Wade Hinton, who led Mayor Andy Berke's transition team, has been chosen as city attorney.

It is a joint appointment with the City Council, and the move was endorsed by a number of council members who appeared with the mayor at a press conference on Friday morning.

Mayor Berke did not retain Mike McMahan, the longtime city attorney.

He passed over Phil Noblett, a longtime member of the city attorney's office who has been sitting with the City Council at recent council meetings.

Attorney Hinton said he "will be leaning strongly on Phil Noblett."

A number of members of the city attorney's office were present for the announcement, but attorney Noblett was not among them because he was out of town.

Mayor Berke said of his choice, “He is intelligent, hardworking and has proven himself to be an outstanding attorney and leader. The city has made the right choice and we are lucky to have him.”

City Council Chairman Yusuf Hakeem said, “I am pleased to make this announcement today. I have every confidence in this bright young man and applaud my fellow council members and our mayor in choosing Wade for this key position.”

Tennessee Deputy Governor Claude Ramsey, who employed attorney Hinton while he was county mayor, said, “Wade is a top notch choice for city attorney. He has excellent leadership skills and the necessary experience working with county and city governments. Wade will be a true asset to the city of Chattanooga.”

Attorney Hinton currently serves as deputy general counsel for Volkswagen Group of America’s Chattanooga Operations. “Wade has been an important member of our team, providing outstanding expertise and talent,” said Frank Fischer, CEO and chairman of Volkswagen Chattanooga. “We wish him well as he returns to civic service and look forward to working with him on future endeavors.”

Prior to his position at Volkswagen Chattanooga, attorney Hinton was an attorney for Miller & Martin PLLC where he practiced in the corporate/mergers and acquisitions division. He is a German Marshall Fellow and a graduate of both Leadership Chattanooga and the Tennessee Bar Association Leadership Law Program.

Attorney Hinton is the recipient of the NAACP’s Thurgood Marshall Freedom of Justice Advocate of the Year Award, has been recognized as the Young Lawyer of the Year, and has received countless professional awards.

A native Chattanoogan, he is active in the community and serves as a commissioner for the Tennessee Business Roundtable, member of the Rotary Club of Chattanooga, and several other organizations. He received his B.A. in philosophy from Emory University and his J.D. from the University Of Memphis School Of Law.

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